More than 300 people packed Hinckley’s United Reformed Church in The Borough for a special service to mark the start of a new Hinckley and Burbage Churches Together campaign.

Hope 2014 is a national Christian mission, which aims to bring churches together in working for the communities they serve.

Around 20 churches in this area have signed up to be involved, including Hinckley Methodist, Holy Trinity, Hope Community Church, the Salvation Army, St John’s CE, St Mary’s CE, St Peter’s RC, Holy Trinity, Hope Community Church and the URC, Burbage Methodist, Pentecostal, Congregational, Higham Way Baptist Church, St Catherine’s and The Bridge (which meets at Hastings High School), as well as Sapcote Methodist Church and the Living Rock church in Stoney Stanton.

Members of 19 congregations were at the launch service to welcome national Hope executive director Roy Crowne, who spoke to inspire their involvement in the mission.

“He said that he wanted this year of Hope to break down the barriers between denominations, because we are stronger together, working to serve communities and see the kingdom of God expressed in our world.”

Clergy from churches across Hinckley and Burbage joined to lead a closing benediction

A Hinckley and Burbage Hope website has been launched at hopeforhinckleyandburbage.wordpress.com

It will be regularly updated and used for feedback.

The first phase of the campaign in this area will focus on offering practical help and support to the community.

The website includes details of a first aid training course to run by the Red Cross, parenting classes, parent and toddler classes, a marriage course, and “Ncounter” - a youth weekend to be held in Hinckley town centre.

Bookings for all can be made online.

Further ahead, it is planned enter a clergy team in the Hinckley pancake race and to set up a “love your street” project.